East Midlands businesses reflect on Euros trade impact

Amid 2024’s sporting summer and as Euro 2024 final reached its final with England playing Spain, East Midlands businesses have told East Midlands Chamber of their experience adapting to demand

East Midlands Airport Head of Corporate Affairs Ioan Reed-Aspley said: “We know that major events in Europe can add to the increase we’ve seen in passenger numbers, with around 774,000 expected to travel through the airport during the summer holidays.

“The last flight to Berlin in time for the Euros final, on Saturday night, was full and we expect Eastern Airways’ daily flights to Paris to fill up for the Olympics.  We hope that Team GB have a smooth journey to victory!”

The manager of a Castle Donington-based public house, Abi Stratton said: “As a typical non-sports pub we absolutely love seeing our whole local community come together and we’re so grateful we have the space to be able to accommodate that within our business. Let's hope that England is just as successful in the final so we can continue the celebrations not only just this weekend but continuously after the final with the community.”

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “The England team have done brilliantly and the hospitality industry have been heroes too, playing a key part in creating offers, attracting customers, embracing the feelgood vibe and getting people together to enjoy the games on big screens, with a bite to eat. We have an abundance of great pubs, restaurants and hotels across the East Midlands.  When you add buying kit, buying merchandise - all of this injects cash into the region’s economy."